How to Prepare Your Child for a Speech Competition. We Bring You Handy Tips

"Speech is power; speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, and lecturer

Quite true! A well-delivered speech has the power to work on the listeners' psyche and arouse their emotions. It also bestows power on the speaker; for, while preparing for a speech and delivering it, a speaker becomes skilled in various domains such as cognitive and emotional.

Public speaking helps accelerate children's growth as communicators and teaches them the values of diligence and hard work. Also, participating in speech contests enables children to develop a competitive spirit and learn from failures.

But, delivering a good extempore speech or elocution speech in front of a sizeable audience is no easy task, especially for a child. From identifying the topic to presenting it well, your child will need to take care of several things for a successful presentation.

How to improve public speaking skills

These useful tips on public speaking can help him prepare well for a speech competition.

1. Decide the topic: Whether it is assigned or needs to be chosen by the speaker, the topic of a speech plays a very important role in any speech competition for students. The best topics are those that engage the interest of the audience. If your child has to choose the topic by himself, brainstorm with them to see what could be the most compelling and relevant topic they can speak on. Once the topic is finalized, discuss with your child what they know about it and the new points they could include in their speech.

2. Design the structure of the speech: A well-structured speech always has the most impact. So, decide on the structure and the length of the speech. Pay attention to other elements such as starting the speech with a proverb, adding a story in the middle, or ending with a famous quote. A speech embedded with messages of good values and morals would certainly earn your child some brownie points.

3. Edit, re-edit: While no one is going to expect Shakespearean language from your child, it is very important to not let them make errors. You should encourage your child to draft the speech on their own, go over it with them to make your child understand their mistakes, and correct them.

4. Make him practice, not learn: Public speaking does not come naturally to everyone. To ensure that fear of public speaking does not impair your child from giving a good speech, make them practice speech again and again, instead of just learning the speech by rote. They can start rehearsing in front of a mirror to correct body language and expressions, and by looking at points jotted down on palm cards or a notepad. Once your child is comfortable enough, they can practice without the notes before you and other family members. While your child does so, do not forget to clap, appreciate, and encourage them after they finish their speech. These rehearsals would bring clarity to their speech and certainly boost their confidence manifold.

5. Focus on voice modulation and body language: While delivering the speech, it is important to have the right facial expressions, body language, and voice modulation. To help your child understand how to do these, you can either demonstrate them yourself or show them videos of accomplished speakers. Techniques such as pausing at the right place or stressing the right phrases are key to delivering a good performance.

6. Dress them up well: First impressions always matter, that too when one is up on a stage or in front of a crowd. Dressing your child up well and grooming them to look smart and professional is important. Help your child choose an outfit that makes your child feel happy, confident, and secure. It would not only make them seem presentable but also keep your child a notch above their competitors.

7. Maintain eye contact: Establishing eye contact will help your child connect with the audience better. Also, this will make them appear confident and assertive.

8. Establish a rapport with the audience: While speaking, it is also important to engage and interact with the audience. The speech becomes more interesting when a question is thrown at the audience expecting feedback in return, or some funny anecdote is narrated in between.

How to overcome the fear of public speaking

If even after good preparation, your child appears nervous before appearing on the stage or during his speech, they may be suffering from stage fright. Also known as performance anxiety, stage fright can affect their performance as well as their self-confidence. It is important for them to learn how to control their fear with relaxation exercises, deep breathing, and positive thinking.

Public speaking classes for kids near you

Professional trainers in public speaking classes can play a huge role in developing your child's skills as a speaker. They would equip your child with the much-needed confidence to take part in speech competitions, especially in English speech competitions. Here's a list of some of the top institutes in major cities that offer public speaking classes:

Public speaking classes for kids in Chennai:

1. First Step Institute

No. 4, Rajkamal 1st Cross Street, New Perungalathur, Chennai - 600063

Phone: +914446281224

2. Lernen

9th Floor, Olympia Technology Park, Guindy Industrial Estate, Chennai - 600032

Phone: +914449919035

3. Einstro Academy

No. 4/636 A, Srinivasa Housing, PTC Quarters, OMR, Thoraipakkam, Chennai - 600097

Phone: +914449853346

4. Shalom English Academy

Plot No. 23, Door No. 5/178, I Cross Street, Vivekanantha Nagar Extn., Sithalapakkam,

Chennai - 600126

Phone: 099406 20339

Public speaking classes for kids in Mumbai

1. TSM Language Classes

Sahil Building, Flat No. 402, Plot No. 516/B, S.V Road, Bandra West, Mumbai - 400050

Phone: +912249431483

2. English Nation Language Academy

No. 306, 3rd Floor, V Star Plaza, Chandrawarkar Road, Borivali West, Mumbai - 400092

Phone: +912249427832

3. The British Institutes

Office No 10, Ground floor, Shah Heritage CHS Ltd, Plot No. 9, Sector - 42/A, Seawoods,

Mumbai - 400706

Phone: +912261094307

4. Ezy English Academy

308, 3rd Floor, Mehta Chambers, Opp. Railway Station, Above Shabri Hotel, Nalasopara East, Palghar, Mumbai - 401209

Phone: +919595589710

Public speaking classes for kids in Bangalore

1. Indian Academy of Public Speaking

Galaxy, Brigade Gateway, Rajaji Nagar, Bengaluru - 560055

Phone: 073377 78691

2. Bangalore School of Speech And Drama

529, 16th A Cross, 3rd Main Rd, Sector 6, HSR Layout, Bengaluru - 560102

Phone: 074061 29314

3. Bishal Sarkar's

13th Main, 9th Cross Rd, 1st Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru - 560034

Phone: 088803 61526

4. Shobha Misra Communication And Personality Development

Nandanam Apartments, 6, 492, Chinmaya Mission Hospital Rd, Indiranagar, Bengaluru - 560038

093412 68477

Public speaking classes for kids in Pune

1. Tiny Monkey Stage

Inside Cream Stone, 9-B, Bibwewadi Kondhwa Rd, Market Yard, Gultekdi, Pune - 411037

Phone: 095117 10835

2. Inspiring English Speaking Classes

Rahul complex, E wing, 4th floor, Office No 21, Sr.No.135, Near Krishna Hospital,

Above Telephone Shoppee, Paud Rd, Kothrud, Pune - 411038

Phone: 099755 09129

3. WM Best English Speaking Classes

Flat 703, F Wing Park Express Society, Balewadi High St, Near Cummins India Office,

Baner, Pune - 411045

Phone: 088260 83900

4. Helen O'Grady International Speech & Drama Classes

Freewings Pre School, 22, Manamandir Housing Society, Behind Hotel Shivar Garden,

Pimple Saudagar, Pune - 411027

Phone: 020 6500 3980

Public speaking classes for kids in Hyderabad

1. Express Easily English Academy

1-1, 2nd Floor, BKR Complex, Mumbai Highway, Near Limgampalli bus-stop, Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad - 500050

Phone: 098481 71212

2. Saurabh Chharia - Public Speaking Trainer

Landmark: Beside Global Eye Hospital, MIG -198, K P H B Colony Rd Number 1, First Floor,

Above Eyeris Opticals, Hyderabad - 500072

Phone: 085275 32553

3. Life Leader Spoken English and Personality Development Institute

3-6-102/A/A, Shaheed Yar Jung Lane, Basheerbhag Near Vijaya Diagnostic, Street Number 30, Himayatnagar, Hyderabad - 500029

Phone: 093910 88804

4. Panache The Finishing School

Karpamla House, 8-2-577/2/k/1, 2nd Floor, Above Cotton World, Opposite Iranian Consulate,

Road No. 7, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad- 500034.

+91 7674934500

Public speaking classes for kids in Delhi

1. Wabs Talk

No.9, 1st floor, Main Market, Moti Nagar, Near Metro Station, New Delhi, Delhi - 110015

Phone: 099999 47824

2. EngMates

No.30/3A, 3rd Floor, Opp. Tilak Nagar Metro Station Gate No.3, New Delhi, Delhi - 110018

Phone: 093118 11011

3. Anurag Aggarwal Institute Of Public Speaking

AMDA Seminar Halls, Srifort Institutional Area, Khel Gaon, New Delhi, Delhi - 110049

Phone: 088605 13631

4. Pep Talk India

Ground Floor, A-8, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, Delhi - 110027

Phone: 099715 02715

Taking part in speech competitions has numerous benefits. It will help your child become more confident, develop his communication skills and leadership qualities, and advance his career in the future. So, encourage your child to participate in such competitions and follow all the above-mentioned steps to help him prepare. With time, you will be the proud parent of a child who can deliver a great speech!